London Irish have been dealt a double injury blow for their Guinness Premiership run-in with both Sailosi Tagicakiabu and Clarke Dermody forced to undergo surgery.

Both players are expected to be out for up to eight weeks, with wing Tagicakibau nursing a foot injury and former All Black prop Dermody a back problem.

"We're devastated by all of our long-term injuries, but in particular people like Clarke and Sailosi," Exiles head coach Toby Booth told BBC Berkshire. "They are front-line players and ultimately you want them available."

Connacht have confirmed that Eric Elwood will take over the coaching reins following the departure of Michael Bradley at the end of the season. The former Ireland fly-half made 168 appearances for the region as a player and has been assistant coach at the Sportsground for the past four and a half years.

Bath have signed scrum-half Mark McMillan from Glasgow Warriors on a two-year deal.

Young Ospreys back-row Tom Smith has been ruled out for eight weeks with hip and knee injuries sustained during their narrow 19-17 Magners League victory over Connacht on February 21.

"Tom has torn muscles in his hip, as well as damaging knee ligaments," Ospreys physio Chris Towers said. "He is improving as well as we could hope for at the moment, but we are looking at a recovery period of around six to eight weeks from the day of the game, which means that we are looking at a mid-April return to playing."

The club has been boosted by the news of a new five-year deal with hooker Richard Hibbard, however.

Edinburgh fullback Jim Thompson has signed a new two-year deal with the Magners League side.